Busy-ness and Spiritual Restlesness

Our mundane busy-ness can be a symptom of a spiritual restlessness -
a symptom of our own disbelief and disobedience which would prevent us
from entering God's rest. When we become consumed with "our work"
- whatever that might be, and even if it is noble, holy, and just -
we unwittingly fall back into the autonomous dreams of our own making.
When we spurn rest, we spurn grace and reject God's gift.
James Smith

A Seminar on Charles Taylor's A Secular Age

James Smith is leading a seminar on Charles Taylor's book A Secular Age at the Philosophy Department of Calvin College. I'm quite impressed by his efforts in making a space for everyone to join the conversations about the book. He has created a blog for it: http://asecularage.blogspot.com/. To me, he sets a very good example for teachers, living in the age of the new media, to follow. And it is very useful for people like me who have no access to the book but wanting to read it. Our library doesn't have it, but I've requested our librarian to get a copy. In the meantime, he has kindly reserved the book for me from the National Library of Singapore and will pass it to me once he collects it. The joy of having an access to abundant resources... Something which I'll definitely miss once I'm back to Indonesia.

Wrightian Smith and Smithian Wright?

It is intriguing that James Smith and N.T. Wright seem to end up in the same place although they arrive there from quite different trajectories. Smith has been emphasizing the importance of practice as a "location" of a religion (where and how religion is to be found and recognized) and how practice is utmost important in shaping the religious identity of the members. This emphasis stems from his theological anthropology, following Augustine's footsteps, that human beings are NOT primarily thinking beings. We are defined primarily by what we love instead. "Human beings are lovers," Smith argues. And love takes practice. In a similar vein, Wright argues, "Love is not our duty. It is our destiny." Yet this destiny is not something which comes automatically. It takes hard work. In other words, love takes practice. He is, of course, speaking out of the framework of "grace alone" and "faith alone." So, you can heave a sigh of relief. Wright is NOT a Pelagian!
Check out these lectures by Smith and Wright. I bet you will not disagree with me that, to some extent, Smith is a Wrightian and Wright is a Smithian.

Symposium 2011 - Plenary Address - James K.A. Smith from CICW on Vimeo.

After You Believe - N. T. Wright from Redeemer Video on Vimeo.

Daydreaming...

I just learned that James Smith will be speaking in the Calvin Symposium on Worship 2011! *sulk* Some of my friends would know that I am a great fan of Smith's works. His Letters to a Young Calvinist needs to be read by those who regard themselves as "Calvinists". His Who's Afraid of Postmodernism may be one of the best cure for postmodernism-phobia. I have recommended his Desiring the Kingdom to my friends who are doing Christian Education this semester. And I've been reading his The Devil Reads Derrida as a way to multiply my time whenever I'm doing my "business" in the t*il*t. *wink*

I'm enjoying a daydream about being in snowy Grand Rapids, attending the wonderful worship services in the symposium, attending the plenaries and workshops by Jamie Smith and meeting him in person. Now, I better STOP daydreaming and get back to my thesis!!!

A photo of international participants taken when I, sis, Lu, and Dr.T attended the Symposium in 2008. (I had a memorable experience of being detained... Missed our flight... And had to stay in a SUPER expensive hotel...)